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Folks this problem has reached critical mass and unless I missed something on the bug man property, ie potential snow blockage.....NONE Of THESE OPTIONS ARE VIABLE OPTIONS.

ALCON...We are missing the point on good citizenship to continue to consider AT options of across wilson creek and/or the orchard shelter area...Clearly the guidance on shelters and even recommended group size for the AT use are in violation by our plans...Over 10 folk and two successive nights...Futher local information is that the firewood in the orchard area has been pretty well stripped out to a radius of several hundred feet...

This hang needs to find a home in a vehicle accessable park or private property that will welcome a group of our size.

Reasonable rental costs or a stipen for landowner are not an issue... The JRB raffle will easily cover pravillion fees etc as it does for the MAHHA in MD each year.

Find another location or give it up is my vote.

Pan

Ounces to Grams.

www.jacksrbetter.com ... Largest supplier of camping quilts and under quilts...Home of the Original Nest Under Quilt, and Bear Mountain Bridge Hammock. 800 595 0413

What are the parking possibilities at Bugman's area then? I'd be happy to go there if I could have some reasonable hope of getting my car unstuck if it should snow like it did at last year's hangout. Shuttle perhaps?

"Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities." - Mark Twain
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” - John Burroughs

From what I have read about the stuff people bring to these events, dragging it all uphill for 2 miles at old orchard does not sound like fun. People bring firewood (cabinet doors?), chairs, all kinds of stuff for comfort.

I would recommend bugman's property. Use 4wd vehicles to shuttle if we need to.

Pan, it was my understanding that there are three levels of restriction involved: state park, wilderness area and national forest. If we are outside of the state park or a wilderness area, the 10 member party restriction no longer applies. That's sort of what we faced at Linville Gorge. We had our base camp outside of the wilderness area, but were free to go into the wilderness area in groups of 10 or less.
FWIW, I've seen several large Scout and church groups set up near the Old Orchard Shelter about 300yds away.
That being said, if we have to set up a shelter and haul in wood, a coordinated group effort will need to be made to get all of that in there.

Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. That was just my interpretation of the restrictions.

Clearly the guidance on shelters and even recommended group size for the AT use are in violation by our plans...Over 10 folk and two successive nights...

That interpretation of the ranger's guidance is in conflict with the Jefferson National Forest dispersed camping policy that allows large groups for multiple nights situated at least 150' away from roads, trails, etc, but not in Wilderness Areas or State Parks. We can meet at Old Orchard and hang a ways from it.

I agree with your criteria, but I don't agree that we should cancel the hang if we can't find a site that fits the bill. If we go beyond Wise, or near Old Orchard, we are doing what the rangers at GHSP suggested that we do. That was part of the guidance.

PS - I would go to Bugman's in a heartbeat! I think a lot of people would choose not to go, if that were the location, but I don't mind being snowed in.